The Ottawa Senators have yet to obtain a lead during regulation. Yet, with the series tied at 2-2, a lead in the third period may prove to be the decisive blow that swings this series in their favor.

While the Rangers have lost their last seven overtime playoff games, this team plays extremely well at Madison Square Graden. The Rangers were 27-12-2 at MSG during the regular season, second best in the East. The Rangers have scored only nine goals in the first four games, so more offense will be needed in Game 5. Coach Tortorella has altered the first two lines, having Marian Gaborik skate with Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov while having Brad Richards skate with Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky. The trio of Richards-Callahan-Dubinsky, who scored 71 goals this season, could ignite the offensive output for the Rangers.

Luckily for the Rangers, Daniel Alfredsson will not travel to New York for Game 5. Alfredsson missed Games 3 and 4 after suffering an injury a devastating blow from Carl Hagelin in Game 2.

For the Rangers, success starts and ends with goalie, Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist must deliver a huge performance to keep his team in the game. Lundqvist gave up the decisive overtime goal in Game 4, a shot that many believe he should have stopped.

With the series knotted at two, there’s no doubt that the Garden will rocking tonight. The Rangers must play off the crowd and an early lead could be huge to allievate any concerns from Game 4. Game 4 was a bad loss for the Rangers and the loss effectively killed their momentum. A win tonight will put them firmly back into the driver’s seat.

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